We explain what the Victorian era was, how it was divided and its advances in politics and the arts. In addition, its characteristics and innovations.
What was the Victorian era?
The Victorian era or Victoriana was the period of the History of the United Kingdom of Great Britain that passed approximately between 1820 and 1914. It was the era of greatest splendor of the British Empire and the rise of the Industrial Revolution. The period coincides mostly with the reign of Victoria I (from 1837 to 1901) and that is why he is named.
The Victorian era of British history was a stage of stability, also known as the Britannica Pax (British peace). In this period, the influence of the United Kingdom grew and consolidated as an industrial power on the international stage. In turn, internal political reforms avoided the outbreak of revolutions such as those that took place in the rest of the European countries.
Key points
- It is a stage of the History of the United Kingdom that covered almost the entire 19th century and coincided with the reign of Victoria I.
- It was linked to the development of the industrial revolution and the expansion of the British empire.
- It was characterized by the economic growth of the United Kingdom and the social transformations produced by industrialization.
- In the field of culture, literacy and access to literary and artistic works were expanded.
Politics in Victorian era
During the Victorian era, the government of the British Empire took the form of a bicameral parliamentary monarchy, which included the House of Lores and the House of Commons. The kings who ruled the empire in this period were Jorge IV (1820-1830), Guillermo IV (1830-1837), Victoria I (1837-1901), Eduardo VII (1901-1910) and Jorge V (1910-1936). Victoria I had the second most extensive reign in British history, and that is why it gives name to this stage.
Unlike the rest of the European countries, the United Kingdom did not cross political revolutions during the 19th century. This responds to the government was carrying out political and labor reforms that avoided the outbreak of violent revolutions. Therefore, the Victorian era is considered a stage of political stability linked to liberal reformism and the growth of the importance of the House of Commons.
Internal policy was led in Parliament by the party of the Whig (liberals) and the party of the Tory (Conservatives). From both parties important personalities arose who held the position of Prime Minister during this period.
Among the most important political events of the Victorian era is the electoral reform of 1832, which modified the distribution of bands in Parliament and allowed the electoral participation of the bourgeoisie. Then, in 1867, a new reform expanded the electoral base, reducing the limitations of access to vote for men.
Also, in the Victorian era there were also other reformist movements that focused on achieving improvements in the quality of life of the working classes, such as the hourly limitation of the working day and the salary increases, among other claims.
Other relevant political events were the abolition of slavery in 1833, both on English soil and in all the colonies that were part of the empire, the growth of the feminist movement for access to the vote of women and the rise of liberalism as a dominant political ideology.
The economy in the Victorian era
The economy of the Victorian era in the United Kingdom was marked by the development and evolution of the industrial revolution. Between 1820 and 1873, the United Kingdom became the richest country in the international community. In the 1870s and 1880s, it crossed a brief economic crisis and then, as of 1890, the British economy recovered moderate growth.
The expansion of the United Kingdom economy was an effect of industrialization of the country, which focused on large -scale production of textile, metallurgical and food industries. From 1840, growth multiplied.
The textile industry, for example, employed almost 40 % of industrial labor in 1880, as a result of a rapid mechanization process in cotton and wool. Between 1840 and 1860, the British export index was the highest in the period.
On the other hand, the railway revolution approached the different corners of the country, allowing the displacement of materials and people over large distances in a short time. Thus, England went from being a rural country to an industrial power in just over sixty years, with enormous growth in commercial, transport, mining and industry sectors.
Society in Victorian era
During the Victorian era, society was marked by gender and class hierarchies. In terms of gender, Victorian society established that men and women fulfilled different functions, which were linked to biological issues. The activities of men belonged to the public world, work and politics, while women had to deal with the private sphere, family well -being and the organization of domestic tasks.
On the other hand, British society was composed of 70 % and 80 % by the salaried working class, both rural and urban. In addition, there was a small professional middle class that, throughout the 19th century, was growing to almost 25% of the population. For its part, the upper class was landowner, obtained its wealth from its properties, income and interests, and monopolized the control of national policy.
Culture in Victorian era
During the Victorian era, British culture grew as a result of greater access to artistic works and a better distribution of these. The advances in printing techniques led to the multiply of magazines and newspapers, which could be acquired at increasingly economical prices. This, in turn, was accompanied by a rise in literacy, promoted by the creation of elementary schools by the State.
On the other hand, literary production was marked by the novel and melodrama. Among the main authors of the time are Charles Dickens, Emily Brontë, Lewis Carroll, Hg Wells, Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle and Robert Louis Stevenson. In his works, colonial society, the political pressures of the moment and social issues were portrayed. Other works were marked by scientific fantasy and horror stories.
In addition, in the main English cities, cultural spaces multiplied, such as Music Halls (musical halls).
Architecture in Victorian era
The architecture of the Victorian era witnessed a rebirth of the Gothic, which expressed at the same time the interest in modernity and cultural continuity.
Among his most significant samples are the reconstruction of the Westminster Palace, seriously damaged in 1834 by a fire, which in the hands of Charles Barry was erected respecting the medieval principles of the intact portion of the building.
Science in Victorian era
During the Victorian era, there were great advances in the sciences of different fields. In medicine, the use of anesthesia and the first antiseptics, discovered in 1865 by Joseph Lister. This allowed an increase in the patient survival rate.
On the other hand, in 1859 Charles Darwin published his famous book The origin of specieswhich served as the basis for the subsequent development of the theory of evolution by different members of the scientific community. In his book, Darwin postulated the idea that species evolved through generations through the natural selection process.
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References
- Ackermann, Me, Schroeder, MJ and others. (2008). Victory. In Encyclopedia of World Historyvol IV: Age of Revolution and Empire. Facts on File.
- Cortés Salinas, C. (1985). Victorian England. Akal.
- Rizzi, A. and Raiter, B. (2008). Great Britain and the evolutionary route. A story to think. Modern and contemporary. Kapelusz.
- Steinbach, S. (2023). Victorian was. In Britannica Encyclopedia https://www.britannica.com/
